Google steady at top of September search market

In September 2012 so far, Google.com and Google.co.uk have received a combined total of 91.45 per cent of UK search volume. That’s a tiny gain of 0.08 per cent compared to its August 2012 search engine market share, and the highest it has been since June. Meanwhile, Bing is also up by 0.01 to 4.24 per cent of search volume, Yahoo attracted 2.34 per cent, and Ask 0.54. Overall, the search market appears stable.

Of course, it’s rather a different story over in the US. Comscore revealed that in August 2012, Bing attained its highest ever search volume share with 15.9 per cent. In this more competitive market, the Google versus Bing battle could soon get interesting. Microsoft for one seems up for the fight, launching the Bing It On challenge earlier this month, a blind test reminiscent of the Pepsi challenge.

September searches

According to Google Insights for Search, three of the fastest rising UK search terms for the last 30 days relate to Kate Middleton, following the topless photos debacle. Other fast-rising searches this month included FIFA 13, the Paralympics, and Apple’s new iPhone 5. Kate Middleton also made it into this month’s fastest rising search terms worldwide, as did the iPhone 5, the NFL, and Korean pop song Gangnam Style.

Here are the UK search engine market share stats for September 2012 so far, using data from StatCounter Global Stats:

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